Stop Water Charge Hikes!

Join the Combined Harare Ratepayers Association (CHRA) campaign to stop the Makwavarara led commission and Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) from imposing massive water charge hikes.

Copy and paste the letter below (the letter), print it out and fill it in. Make a copy.

Send one copy to: CHRA, Room 103, Daventry House, South Avenue corner Angwa Street.

Send the second copy to Town House.

ITS THAT SIMPLE!

This is the letter:
*******************************************************

Your Address:





HARARE

3rd July 2006

The Chairperson of the City of Harare Commission
Town House
Harare

Dear Madam,

Re: OBJECTION TO PAYMENT OF NEW WATER RATES

I am Mr/s…………………………………………… and I live at House. No. ……………………………………………………………………………………….

…………………………………………………………………………………. Harare. I am a resident and rate payer in the city of Harare and am aware that in terms of the law, and more specifically the Urban Councils Act, I am entitled to at least thirty (30) days’ written notice before any levies, rates and or tariffs payable by me to the City of Harare may be reviewed.

I am entitled at law and right to action that is lawful, reasonable and fair. The Administrative Justice Act [Chapter 10:28] especially Section 3 thereof refers.

I am further aware that there is an implied contract between myself and the City of Harare whereby the Council provides me with appropriate water services and I pay for the same on appropriate invoice for the said service.

Having stated the above I wish to put on record, as I hereby do, my objection to my payment of the amounts due for the month of June 2006 as calculated using the new tariffs because:

1. The statutory Notice in terms of the Urban Councils Act has not been honoured and as such the rates review is tainted with irregularities insofar as lawful procedure is concerned. Because of that it is a legal nullity as are the new rates it purports to introduce.

2. The principles of natural justice which the Council is legally obliged to observe in terms of the law have been flagrantly disregarded and as such the decision to review the rates is unlawful, unreasonable, and as such a legal nullity which I feel I cannot consciously pay.

3. The rates review also amounts to a unilateral variation of the implied contract between me and council seeing as it was done without notice to me and or any representations from me. You will no doubt appreciate that that in itself is also unlawful and makes the rates review also a legal nullity and therefore of no force and effect.

Also note that I further object to the revised water charges as top council officials are squandering rate-payers money on curtains, DSTV, double-cabs, cellphones and guest lodges on weekends. The same officials are also looting subsidised council houses through contracts of “sale”.

Be guided accordingly.

Yours etc,


Cc: The Minister – Ministry of Local Government and Urban Development - Ignatius Chombo
Cc: CHRA